The field of players competing at the 2025 World Matchplay of Dartsis set.
Only 32 will go to Blackpool to compete, and as always, some major names didn't qualify.
What players didn't qualify for the 2025 World Matchplay of Darts?
A few notable names, sadly, won't be in Blackpool.
MORE: Who qualified for the 2025 World Matchplay of Darts?
Michael Smith
This name stands out the most.
Smith has sadly had injuries and other issues get in his way, preventing him from picking up enough prize money to qualify this year.
Even when he was competing in tournaments, there was little consistency, and it is evident he is struggling with his game.
Smith was the World Champion just a couple of years ago in 2023.
He was a semifinalist at the World Matchplay last year, and this is the first time in 12 years that he didn't qualify.
MORE: MODUS Super Series leg ends with nine-darter after Michael van Gerwen/Michael Smith-esque leg
Dimitri Van den Bergh
This was a bit of a shocker, but not as much as Smith.
Van den Bergh took time off for several Players Championship and European Tour events over the past few months.
He's currently the world number 22, so his only chance to qualify would have been through the ProTour OoM.
He didn't come very close to qualifying through that route, ranked down at 72.
Van Den Bergh typically performs very well in Blackpool.
He won the tournament on debut in 2020, and followed that year with appearances in the final, semifinal and quarterfinal.
Dimitri didn't have a deep run last year, but did produce a nine-darter against Martin Schindler.
MORE: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries in support of bigger/more darts events in the United States
Ritchie Edhouse
After qualifying in 2024 for the first time, Ritchie Edhouse joins the list of notable names not competing this year.
Edhouse is currently 27th in the world on the Main OoM and is 20th on the ProTour OoM, just four spots short of making it to Blackpool.
Edhouse had a breakthrough performance in 2024, winning the European Championship, but otherwise hasn't had any other major tournament runs.
MORE: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries in favor of a PDC darts royal rumble style tournament
Other notable players who didn't qualify:
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- Brendan Dolan
- Scott Williams
- Martin Lukeman
- Gabriel Clemens
- Kevin Doets
- Callan Rydz
- Mickey Mansell
- Niels Zonneveld
- William O'Connor
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- PDC darts players' nicknames, from Luke Littler to Michael van Gerwen
- Every PDC player's walk-on entrance song